Structural, electric and magnetoelectric properties of Ni0.85Cu0.15Fe2O4/BiFe0.7Mn0.3O3 multiferroic nanocomposites

Spinel-perovskite nanocomposites {[}(1-y) (Ni0.85Cu0.15Fe2O4) + y (BiFe0.7Mn0.3O3)]; y = 30\%, 40\%, 50\%, 60\% and 70\% were prepared by mixing the two separately single materials. X-ray diffraction measurements confirm the formation of both phases Ni0.85Cu0.15Fe2O4 (NCFO) and BiMn0.3Fe0.7O3 (BFMO). The magnetoelectric coefficient was measured as a function of applied dc magnetic field. Dielectric constant (epsilon'), loss tangent (tan delta) and ac conductivity (sigma) were measured as a function of frequency with different temperatures. The epsilon' and sigma of Ni0.85Cu0.15Fe2O4 were improved by introducing BiMn0.3Fe0.7O3. Magnetoelectric nanocomposites may have possible applications in magnetic field sensing probes and linear ME devices. The electric hysteresis loops were obtained in ferrite/BFMO composite, but the loops were not really saturated. (c) 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.